I post my pictures as large as possible so folks can download them to study whenever and if ever they want to. I am not concerned about copy right stuff because every computer keeps a date time stamp in the properties of the hidden files. Besides that, there is an art production center a little southwest of Beijing, China that routinely rips off online work anyway. What a hoot it would be to see one of my works posted for sale somewhere as a forgery. Moving on. Going to paint some more today. Got three more days before I stop painting and do some serious studio cleaning. I am starting to trip over stuff. Don't know how long that will take because of the holidays, parties and friends.

Again, thank you. It is snowing here again. Looks like we are stuck for about two days. I know how to drive in snow. There are some in this city who do not. Well, almost all of them. Best way I can figure out how not to get hit is to stay off the roads until the snow is gone. So, going to be painting a lot. Have a good evening Jennifer.

Well, it appears that my next step was a step backwards. When the background dried, it went flat. These two paintings with the backgrounds as they were are simply DOA. So, after deciding I did not like what I was looking at, It took me a day to "fix it". I made the illusion of light on the wall more dramatic by making stronger blended color exchanges. I also used a stiff flat brush with thick paint application to give texture to the blending so that real light would bounce around on the painting. When these dry again I will take the next step forward.

I like the backgrounds... Im drawn more to the amber tones in the first one... but I don't think you are off track, with them... if you could add a simalir variance of light to the green one.. you might like it better.

Thank you Frank. First for checking in on what I am doing and second for your comments.

And thank you Jennifer for the same thing and for finally considering me to be an artist worthy of your attention. I appreciate you observations, critiques and comments. I think you will be surprised about how the green background is not highlighted like the amber one is. Well, at least I hope so. Could say more, but it would be boring.

Well, this one reminds me of a 1920's something parlor in a house in the red light district of Portland, Oregon. It attempts to present the appearance of sophistication without any clue as to what sophistication is. It has to dry before I can go back in and "fix it". If anyone thinks I am hard on them when I make comments, just know this is the family friendly version of how I am critiquing myself at the present time.

Fortunately, I have ran out of time today and now must attend to life stuff business. I am making a batch of BBQ ribs for tonight's dinner. Tomorrow I must do the medical tests run for and with Lois and a little shopping. So it will be a day or two before I return to painting. Oh yes, I have to spend some more time studying Frank's latest still life. Such a magnificent painting.